ALECIA CASTILLO

“Pitek”
Brown and tiny legs
In the corner of your house
Deafened by your scream

One time you caught me

Put me in a box then in a stick
Your leisure is my death.

“IF”
If I could turn back the time
When women have no rights in education;
When women have no rights to work;
When women have no rights to refuse
I would stand at the front of the crowd
And shout---women were not born to be SLAVE.

If I could manipulate the mind of the people

I would change it on how they labeled the women
That women are weak;
That women are mute;
That women are just women.

If I could touch the eyes of men

And see that women had dignity
Which they have steal their purity.
I would stand at the front of the crowd
And shout---women were born as HUMAN.

If I could switch the reality of man

I would let men bear child
To feel the nine months of pain
Where in population growth would be LESSEN.

If I could change the Bible’s verse

When Adam was lured by Eve
 I would change the negative side of being a woman.

If our savior was not a man

Could women gain their respect?
If our national hero was not a man
Would men idolized women?

If these were impossible

Then stand as a woman
Make change as a woman
Work for a woman.

STARVATION
It was Monday morning when people were in hurry. The beeping vehicles and sirens of
ambulance disturbed me from dreaming. Groceries and hospitals were busy. Then suddenly a
black luxury car stopped at my front. A fat woman wearing with a mask came out.
“Come on, we’ll be run out of stock...the two of you stay here.” she exclaim and throw me a
stare. “wear your mask!” as she added.

Is there anything new? They always do that when they saw me.
I get the box beside me and unfold it. I used it as my mat and laid again. I ignored my growling
stomach and I just closed my eyes. Though I couldn’t see the surroundings still I could hear their
human needs.

1 pm the same day. I just awaken by the mad sunlight. No souls roaming in the street even
vehicles were gone. Where did they go?
And then a patrol car came announcing... “No one is allowed to go outside. Stay at home. Keep
safe and stay virus free.” as the sherif turn on his megaphone.
Virus!? Should I be afraid of it? No! I’m used to it.

I stood up and brought my plastic packs. Should I say I am at peace walking in the street only
cats and dogs running. I saw some people from a grocery store. I walked on and stop at the
garbage can to look for some foods. Found it! A box of food. I opened the box and saw a leftover
of fried chicken. I was so hungry to lick even the box. I felt I was choked so I coughed.
“Stay away from him you might be infected.” as I heard the voice from my back. When I turned
around I saw them in a distance covering their mouth with a pile of boxes on their cart.
Without a word I walked away.
2 days passed I kept on coughing and still the whole city is being quarantined. I felt cold but my
body was hot. I heard from the news that people who have felt some symptoms must go to the
hospitals. I slapped myself thinking of impossible things.

3 weeks passed I felt something pressing on my stomach. Because no people were allowed to go
out I couldn’t find some foods from the garbage neither from restaurants. I was thinking if I go to
the hospital maybe I could ask some foods from them knowing that the only establishment was
allowed to operate.

My stomach was aching but I ignored it. Until I found myself waiting at front of the hospital’s
lobby. An ambulance came with a rushing people inside wearing with an overall clothing. They
opened the back door while others were pulling the patient in a carrier.
“Careful!” as a man instructed.

“Ahuhhh..!” as I coughed men were staring at me. Until I just felt I was sweating and my knees
were soften. My sight blurred and then became dark.

“Don’t touch him!”